Patrick Rees
Manchester United are closing in on concluding the signing of Inter Milan’s 28-year-old winger, Ivan Perisic, as per the reports from Sky Italia.
The same source has also added that the Nerazzurris are well aware of the fact that the Croatian himself doesn’t want to stay at the San Siro. Hence, they are already on a lookout to bring in a possible replacement. Manchester United’s pursuit of the former Wolfsburg winger was previously quoted by Sky Sports when the outlet reported that United tried testing Inter Milan’s resolve by offering an initial £36m bid, but that the Italian outfit firmly rejected the offer.
It was also quoted that Inter had slapped a fee close to £44m on his head. Following that, rumours of ‘Perisic to United’ dried up as the Devils were reluctant to pay the asking price. This, however, doesn’t seem to be the case anymore as they are trying their socks off to bring the 28-year-old to Old Trafford.
What could further help the Devils in their pursuit is the fact that Perisic himself has asked his agent to work out a move to Manchester as he is eager to work under Jose Mourinho. And with the Croatian trying to make a move out of Italy just two seasons after joining the club, Inter have identified Fiorentina’s Borja Valero as a perfect replacement.
Manager Jose Mourinho, even after concluding Victor Lindelof’s deal, has been left frustrated due to United’s inability to bring in potential transfer targets. With everyone aware of the fact that United do have a capital to splash, clubs have upped their asking price like anything. With Perisic being rated at more than £45m, the price of the likes of Alvaro Morata and Nemanja Matic has escalated quickly as well.
United, who have released Zlatan Ibrahimovic, are close to losing skipper Wayne Rooney and should the Englishman make his move away from the club, United will fall short in their attacking unit. Hence, the chase of Ivan Perisic makes sense.
Known for his immense work rate and excessive running on the flank, Perisic is a complete Mourinho-type player, who loves to do his defensive duties whenever necessary. It is no wonder that Mourinho is desperate for the Croatian.
